As longtime residents of the Pacific Northwest, Home Care Contractors understands the climate and environmental threats in Washington state. Roof debris collects over time and impedes the flow of water off your roof. As the debris breaks down, it builds mold that eats away at your roof, eventually causing a leak in the roof that can damage the foundation of your house.
Mold can start to develop in piles of rotting debris, and then the wind can carry those spores to other locations on your roof, spreading the problem. Lichen grows like deep tentacles into shingles and is very hard to remove. Moss is a type of plant with very shallow roots, making master removal and roof cleaning services simple when completed by a professional Seattle roof cleaning company. A cleaning service can also remove black algae stains caused by Gloeocapsa magma, a bacteria that eats away at asphalt and limestone roofing, particularly in the shaded, moist parts of your roof.
Keeping your roof and windows clean is essential for increasing your home’s curb appeal and preventing damage. If your gutters aren’t clear or your roof is not in the condition to face the wind, rain, and snow that we get in Seattle, then you could face leaks, high energy bills, or possible mold growth. Algae, moss, fungi, and lichen can grow on your roof, causing dark, green stains. These different types of growth can eat away at asphalt shingles which will require repair and maintenance later on. Let Home Care Contractors clean your roof and refresh your home.
How much does it cost to clean off a roof?
Roof cleaning typically costs less than $1,000. Roof cleaning is safe for all types of roofs, like a composite roof, metal roof, or any other type. With frequent cleaning, the costs are lower over time as there will be less debris built up that our crews will have to remove.
Dirty roofs and windows make a home look unwelcome and dark, which is not what homeowners want. In addition to our Seattle roof cleaning, we offer a low-pressure wash for your driveway and the exterior of your house. We provide roof treatment options and can clean gutters, skylights, and solar panels. We can add window cleaning to your service so that the whole exterior of your home is brighter, cleaner, and refreshed. Call us for your free estimate so that we can tell you exactly how much your services will cost.
The Process of A Seattle Roof Cleaning
Before techs from our company arrive for your roof repair or cleaning services, we suggest that you take the following steps:
- Remove all patio furniture, plants, toys, and grills since you don’t want them to get wet or covered with liquid during your gutter cleaning or moss removal process
- Keep your kids and pets inside during any window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, or roof cleaning
- You may need to move your car to allow our trucks to park closer to your roof. We can let you know during our consultation how we plan to access your roof so that we clean every square foot of your roof
We use a peroxide-based, bleach-based solution or a noncorrosive, citrus-based solution and apply it directly onto your roof with a sprayer. After 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the extent of the debris and dirt, we rinse it off with clean water.
Typically a roof cleaning lasts 2 to 5 hours depending on the state of your roof, the size of your roof, how old your roof is, and the landscape. Cleaning a roof that is larger takes longer than a smaller roof. A roof in poor condition with significant debris will take more time to clear before spraying a cleaning solution. If all of the debris isn’t cleared away, then the shingles won’t be saturated in the solution.
It’s easy to damage shingles when cleaning aging roofs, so we apply different types of solutions and detergents to older roofs through a low-pressure hose that will not destroy older, brittle roofing shingles. Lastly, since our cleaning solutions can damage the area around your house, if you don’t take away patio furniture, toys, or anything else outside, then it will take longer for us to get our work done as these will need to be removed before work commences.
How much does roof cleaning cost in Seattle?
How much a homeowner pays for cleaning service depends on the amount of moss and algae buildup on the roof, the size of your roof and how long it will take to clean. Typically roof cleaning services cost $.20-$.75 per square foot of your roof. In general, most roof cleaning services are between $300 and $800 depending on the size of your home, the pitch of your roof, the condition and age of your roof and how much dirt and debris has accumulated.
What is included in roof cleaning services? Or gutter cleaning services?
Gutter cleaning is the process of removing dirt and organic material from your gutters and downspouts. Over time, this debris collects and clogs your gutter system, preventing rainwater from flowing away from your roof to the ground. When you call us for your gutter cleaning service, we either remove debris by hand or machine, and then flush any remaining particles with water. We inspect all parts of your gutter system to ensure that they are doing a wonderful job of keeping water out of your house:
- End caps, which close gutters
- Facia brackets, also known as gutter brackets, hold up and support your gutters
- Downspouts, the vertical pipes installed on the side of your house
- Elbows, the curved piece at the end of the downspout
We also recommend annual inspections and regular cleaning. As a full-service roofing company, we can not only keep your roof clean year-round, but we can conduct inspections and perform repairs. Contact Home Care Contractors to learn more about what we can do for you.
Is cleaning your roof a good idea?
Roof cleaning and moss removal services not only make your roof look brighter and better, but they can stop the destruction that dirt and mold do to your roof. Every roof type will react differently to moss and mold growth, but wood shingles are the most prone to rot, which could affect the safety and structure of your house. Roofs with a low pitch and that are surrounded by trees are more susceptible to large debris. The older your roof, the more susceptible it will be to rot and damage, especially if you haven’t kept up with regular maintenance.
Moss Eats Away At Your Roof
Moss is incredibly detrimental to roofs because it can cause the edges of shingles to lift or curl. When moisture gets under lifted shingles, it can expand or contract in different temperatures, which contributes to even greater damage. Removing moss off roofs is one of the services that our company offers. Moss is unique because it is a type of plant and plants are very good at holding in and diverting water. All of that water could eventually get into your home, and then you will need a costly roof repair or replacement.
Clean Gutters Keep Your Roof In Top Shape
Gutter cleaning is so important. When twigs, leaves and other organic material clog up your gutters, then you will have drainage problems. Many people don’t think about how neglecting gutter cleaning can harm the integrity of their home’s structure. Drainage issues can eventually lead to leaks in the basement or damage to your home’s foundation.
Signs Of Mold In Your Home
If you don’t keep up regularly with your roof cleaning, moss removal, or gutter cleaning, you could run into problems with leaks developed because bacteria, fungus, or plants ate away at your roof. Here are some signs that the problem has spread inside your home:
- There is a musty, rotten smell: if you notice a damp smell like old books, you may have mold in your walls
- Mold blooms growing on surfaces and are usually white, brown, black, green, gray, or other colors. These appear on walls or near ceilings and can be slimy and damp or soft and fuzzy
- White or black spots that are either slimy or fuzzy to the touch on your clothing in your closet
- Similar spots or odors or stains on your carpet
- More allergy asthma flare-ups than usual
- If you noticed water stains on your ceiling or walls, then it’s very likely that mold will either develop or has already spread
Many people are sensitive to mold in their homes. For many people, mold leads to:
- Stuffy nose
- Red or itchy eyes
- Dizziness
- Wheezing
- Headache
- Cough
What is the best way to have your roof cleaned?
Roofs are made of different materials and are susceptible to damage depending on their thickness, age, and the quality of installation. No matter what, though, there are some techniques that are best when trying to clear out mold, dirt, algae, and moss.
Low-Pressure Wash
Many people think that roof cleaning involves pressure washing, but there’s actually a better method. Usually, pressure washing is not the recommended way to clean roofs. Power washing relies on the force of the water coming out of the hose to lift up dirt and debris off of surfaces, but power washing can actually lift the shingles on your roof and require repair work.
Low-pressure roof cleaning, on the other hand, gently lifts away dirt without damaging your roof. A low-pressure wash as a part of regular roof maintenance does a great job cleaning your roof gently.
Cleaning Solutions
We use a solution with a one-to-one ratio of bleach to the water to keep your roof clean. Bleach is an effective fungicide that can kill organic growth like lichen, mildew algae, algae, and moss. We also use a hydrogen-based solution to kill algae and fungus on your roof. This solution is applied through low pressure washing and is effective in algae and moss removal. Another alternative is to use a biodegradable, citrus-based solution for moss removal that won’t corrode your roof.
Hire A Pro
Ultimately, the best way to have your roof cleaned is by calling a professional company that is local and specializes in these types of services. You don’t want moss or algae growing back on your roof, so it’s imperative that the job is done thoroughly. But the work also requires safety knowledge and precautions that the average homeowner cannot meet. Save yourself the stress and risk of your own roof cleaning, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, or moss removal. Call Home Care Contractors today about the myriad services we offer for homeowners to maintain their roofs in Seattle.
Services We Offer
Roof cleaning is not something you want to turn into a DIY project. As always, you must think of safety first when performing any sort of maintenance on your house. Removing roof debris is critical for preventing mold growth. Home Care Contractors provides comprehensive roof cleaning and maintenance, soft washing, and power washing in the Seattle area, including Snohomish County and Pierce County. Our prior clients refer us to their neighbors because we do a good job cleaning and removing moss. No matter the roof type, we promise to provide you with quality work.
Home Care Contractors are your trusted Lake Stevens and Seattle roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, and pressure washing company. We go the extra mile for all of our roof cleaning and moss control clients in the Seattle area. We offer general contracting services for all of your construction and renovation needs, including:
- Professional moss removal
- Moss cleaning
- Pressure washing for your patio, wood decking, or driveway
- Window cleaning for multi-story windows
Call us today for roof cleaning, moss removal, and window cleaning. You can request a free quote by calling (206) 556-6024 to learn more about our rot repair, roofing, and remodeling services. We can come out within 24 hours to conduct a roofing inspection and begin preparing your free estimate.